an instrument for determining weight, typically by the equilibrium of a bar with a fulcrum at the center, from each end of which is suspended a scale or pan, one holding an object of known weight, and the other holding the object to be weighed.

6.

the remainder or rest:

He carried what he could and left the balance for his brother to bring.

7.

the power or ability to decide an outcome by throwing one's strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.

8.

(in winemaking) the degree to which all the attributes of a wine are in harmony, with none either too prominent or deficient.

9.

Accounting.

equality between the totals of the two sides of an account.

the difference between the debit total and the credit total of an account.

unpaid difference represented by the excess of debits over credits.

10.

an adjustment of accounts.

11.

the act of balancing; comparison as to weight, amount, importance, etc.; estimate.

12.

preponderating weight:

The balance of the blame is on your side.

13.

Fine Arts. composition or placement of elements of design, as figures, forms, or colors, in such a manner as to produce an aesthetically pleasing or harmoniously integrated whole.

14.

Dance. a balancing movement.

15.

Also called balance wheel. Horology. a wheel that oscillates against the tension of a hairspring to regulate the beats of a watch or clock.

balance

/ˈbæləns/

noun

1.

a weighing device, generally consisting of a horizontal beam pivoted at its centre, from the ends of which two pans are suspended. The substance to be weighed is placed in one pan and known weights are placed in the other until the beam returns to the horizontal See also microbalance

2.

an imagined device for assessing events, actions, motives, etc, in relation to each other (esp in the phrases weigh in the balance, hang in the balance)

3.

a state of equilibrium

4.

something that brings about such a state

5.

equilibrium of the body; steadiness: to lose one's balance

6.

emotional stability; calmness of mind

7.

harmony in the parts of a whole: balance in an artistic composition

8.

the act of weighing factors, quantities, etc, against each other

9.

the power to influence or control: he held the balance of power

10.

something that remains or is left: let me have the balance of what you owe me

11.

(accounting)

equality of debit and credit totals in an account

a difference between such totals

12.

(chem) the state of a chemical equation in which the number, kind, electrical charges, etc, of the atoms on opposite sides are equal

balance

n.

early 13c., "apparatus for weighing," from Old French balance (12c.) "balance, scales for weighing," also in the figurative sense; from Medieval Latin bilancia, from Late Latin bilanx, from Latin (libra) bilanx "(scale) having two pans," possibly from Latin bis "twice" + lanx "dish, plate, scale of a balance." The accounting sense is from 1580s; the meaning "general harmony between parts" is from 1732; sense of "physical equipoise" is from 1660s. Balance of power in the geopolitical sense is from 1701. Many figurative uses are from Middle English image of the scales in the hands of personified Justice, Fortune, Fate, etc.; e.g. hang in the balance (late 14c.).

balance

v.

1570s, "be equal with," from balance (n.). Meaning "bring or keep in equilibrium" is from 1630s; that of "keep oneself in equilibrium" is from 1833. Of accounts, from 1580s. Related: Balanced; balancing. Balanced meal, diet, etc. is from 1908.

A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless.

A state of bodily equilibrium.

The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences, such as for bodily parts or organs.

Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of a chemical equation.

(bāl'əns) To adjust a chemical equation so that the number of each type of atom and the total charge on the reactant (left-hand) side of the equation matches the number and charge on the product (right-hand) side of the equation.